Arson displaces 9 adults, 4 children in Manchester

Officials said a fire Friday morning a west side apartment building in Manchester was intentionally set.

The two-alarm fire on Manchester's Rimmon Street started in the trash bin against the garage. The flames spread into the garage, which was engulfed when crews arrived.

The flames also spread into the back section of the three-story apartment building. Two other nearby buildings, a garage, a car and power lines all suffered heat damage.

Officials estimated about $150,000 in damages to the apartment building itself, and more than $15,000 to the other buildings.

All of the residents, including nine adults and four children, were displaced.

No one was injured, and all of the residents escaped safely thanks to police, fire crews, and another person who ran back in to help the others.

"We were actually sleeping and we heard people screaming outside, so my boyfriend came to the window and lifted up the window and he was like, 'Oh my gosh, there's a fire across the street.' So, we ran outside across the street and saw the fire," said witness Cameron Arnault.

Crews contained the flames by 1 a.m. Officials are investigating if the arson is connected to other suspicious fires in Manchester in 2012.

The building is owned by Fern and Linda Vachon, who recently returned from vacation.

The Red Cross is helping victims of the fire.

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